Irrigation connector with shut-off valve

ABSTRACT

An irrigation connector for a liquid drainage system including, a flexible body member having a longitudinal main channel which communicates with a drainage tube through one end of the body member and with a catheter through the other end. The body member includes a side arm having a channel which opens into the main channel, a flexible bellows intermediate the body member ends, and a valve seat intermediate the side arm opening and the one body member end. A stem is received in the main channel and has a passageway extending from one end of the stem to an opening in the stem intermediate the one stem end and a plug adjacent the other end of the stem. The one body member end is movable between an outer position with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquid drainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an inner position with the bellows flexed and the plug sealingly engaged against the seat to prevent drainage of liquid.

United States Patent [191.

Villari et al.

[ 11 3,707,972 1 Jan. 2, 1973 [54] IRRIGATION CONNECTOR WITH SHUT-OFFVALVE [75] Inventors: Frank K. Villari, Oak Park; Bhupendra C. Patel,Elgin, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: The Kendall Mass.

[22] Filed: July 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 166,877

Company, Boston,

[52] US. Cl. ..128/349 R, 128/274, 251/342 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lm 25/00 8]Field of Search 128/274, 275, 348, 349 R, 34913, 128/349 BV, 350 R, 350V, 351; 251/342 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,669,5684/1928 McGee ..25l/342 3,352,531 11/1967 Kilmarx .128/349 BV X 3,416,56712/1968 Von Dardel et al. ...l28/274 X 3,478,743 11/1969 Ericson..l28/275 3,513,849 5/1970 Vaillancourt ..128/349 R 3,529,599 9/1970Folkman et a1 ..128/275 Primary Examiner-Dalton L. TruluckAtt0mey-Robert D. Chodera [57] ABSTRACT An irrigation connector for aliquid drainage system including, a flexible body member having alongitudinal main channel which communicates with a drainage tubethrough one end of the body member and with a catheter through the otherend. The body member includes a side arm having a channel which opensinto the main channel, a flexible bellows intermediate the body memberends, and a valve seat intermediate the side arm opening and the onebody member end. A stem is received in the main channel and has apassageway extending from one end of the stem to an opening in the stemintermediate the one stem end and a plug adjacent the other end of thestem. The one body member end is movable between an outer position withthe bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquiddrainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an inner positionwith the bellows flexed and the plug sealingly engaged against the seatto prevent drainage of liquid.

10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures minnow 2 ms SHEET 1 BF 4 FIG.3

PATENTED M 2 19H 3 707 972 saw u or 4 IRRIGATION CONNECTOR WITH SHUT-OFFVALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to connectors for liquid drainage systems, andmore particularly to a connector having a valve for controlling thepassage of fluid through the connector.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

In the past, various types of systems have been utilized to drainliquids from a cavity in a patients body, such as the bladder. Theprocedure generally utilized to accomplish drainage is to introduce acatheter into the cavity, and connect the catheter through a drainagetube to a receptacle for collecting the liquid.

However, during use of such systems, it is sometimes necessary toperiodically irrigate the catheter, or force liquid through it in thereverse direction, to alleviate a blocked condition in the catheter dueto the accumulation of sediments and clots, or to apply medication tothe cavity through the catheter. Since it is necessary to minimize thepossibility of infection to the patient, such systems are preferably ofthe closed type to prevent contamination to the system and possibleinfection to rigate the catheter, while maintaining aseptic conditionsin the drainage system.

In an attempt to solve this problem Vaillancourt et al. US. Pat. No.3,513,849 discloses an adapter which SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Theprincipal feature of the present invention is the provision of anirrigation connector for a liquid drainage system to selectively controlthe passage of drainage liquid from a catheter to a drainage tubethrough the connector.

The connector of the present invention includes a flexible body memberhaving a main channel which extends longitudinally through the bodymember. The main channel communicates with a lumen in the drainage tubethrough one end of the body member and communicates with a lumen in thecatheter through the other end of the body member. The body memberincludes an irrigation side arm having a channel which opens into themain channel, a flexible bellows intermediate the ends of the bodymember, and a seat in the main channel intermediate the side arm openingand the one body member end. A stem is received in the main channel andhas a passageway extending from one end of the stem to an opening in thestem intermediate the one stem end and the plug adjacent the other endof the stem. The one body member end is movable between an outerposition with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat,and an inner position with the bellows flexed and the plugs sealinglyengaged against the seat.

the patient. Consequently, it has proven difficult to ir- A feature ofthe present invention is that liquid is permitted to drain from thecatheter through the stem passageway to the drainage tube with the onebody member end in the outer position.

Another feature of the invention is that liquid is prevented fromdraining to the tube in the inner position of the one body member end topermit irrigation of the catheter.

A further feature of the invention is that the side arm and mainchannels define an acute angle relative to the one body member end todirect the irrigation liquid into the catheter.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a cap removablypositioned on the outer end of the side arm to close the side armchannel during liquid drainage and prevent contamination of the system.

Yet another feature of the invention is that the plug and seat arereleasably locked in sealing engagement in the inner position of the onebody member end.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a pinprojecting outwardly from the other end of the stem along itslongitudinal axis to guide the plug in the seat during movement of theone body member end from the outer to inner position.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a valve forcontrolling communication of fluid between a first and second tube,while the first tube is in continuous communication with a third tube.

' Further features will become more fully apparent in the followingdescription of the embodiments of this invention and from the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a sectional view of one embodiment of the irrigation connectorof the present invention, showing the connector in a position to permitliquid drainage from a catheter to a drainage tube;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1,showing the connector in a position to prevent passage of liquid intothe drainage tube;

FIG. 3 is a perspective viewof a stern for the connector of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views of another embodiment ofthe plug and seat for the connector of FIG. I, with the plug and seat inan open and closed position, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the connector of thepresent invention, showing the connector in a position to permitdrainage of liquid from the catheter to the drainage tube;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 6 showing theconnector in a position to prevent passage of liquid into the drainagetube;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stem for the connector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a valve forcontrolling fluid communication through a plurality of tubes, andshowing another embodiment of the connector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a valve forcontrolling fluid communication through a plurality of tubes, utilizingthe connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of another embodimentof the valve of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the valve of theinvention; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the valve of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, adrainage system, generally designated 18, is shown having an irrigationconnector designated generally which is connected between a catheter 22and a drainage tube 24. The connector 20 includes a flexible bodymember, generally designated 26, having a main channel 28 which extendslongitudinally through the body member 26, and a stem designatedgenerally 30 which is at least partially received in the main channel28.

The stem 30 has one end 32 connected to the catheter 22, and a plug 34positioned adjacent the other end 36 of the stem 30. A passageway 38 inthe stem 30 extends from the one stemend 32 to an opening 40intermediate the one stem end 32 and the plug 34. The opening 40 opensinto the main channel 28 through both sides of the stern, and thepassageway 38 communicates with a lumen 42 in the catheter 22 throughthe one stem end 32. With the connector 20 in an open position, as shownin FIG. 1, the main channel 28 communicates with a lumen 44 in thedrainage tube 24 through one end 46 of the body member 26, and the mainchannel 28 communicates with the catheter lumen 42 through the other orsecond body member end 48 and the stem passageway 38.

The body member 26 also includes an outwardly projecting side arm 50,which has a channel 52 extending through the side arm 50 and which opensinto the main channel 28 adjacent the stem opening 40, with theintersection of the side arm and main channels 52 and 28 defining a sidearm opening 54. A cap 56 is removably positioned on the outer end 58 ofthe side arm 50 to close the side arm channel 52 during normal drainageof the system 18, thus preventing contamination to the system and theescape of fluid. The cap 56 has an outer annular rim and an inner plug62, and the outer side arm end 58 is snugly received in circumferentialchannel 64 defined by the rim and plug 60 and 62 to retain the cap 56 inposition. In a preferred embodiment, the plug 62 is recessed within therim 60, for a purpose which will be described below. The cap 56 isattached to the outside of the side arm 50 by a strap 65, in order toretain the cap to theconnector 20 when the cap is removed from the sidearm.

The body member 26 has a valve seat 66 in the main channel 28intermediate the side arm opening 54 and the one body member end 46, andincludes a flexible bellows 68 intermediatethe side arm opening 54 andthe valve seat 66. The bellows 68 has a relatively thin cylindrical wall70 and a plurality of outwardly directed flanges 72 extendingcircumferentially around the wall 70. The stem plug 34 includes afrustro-conical portion 74 which is tapered toward the other stem end36, with the larger end 76 of the frustro-conical portion 74 terminating'in'a planar portion 78 which is substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the stem 30. The valve seat 66 has a correspondingfrustro-conical portion 80 also terminating at its larger end in aplanar portion 82 which is substantially parallel to the planar plugportion 78.

' The one body member end 46 is movable between an outer position, asshown in FIG. 1, with the bellows 68 extended and the plug 34 spacedfrom the seat 66, and an inner position, as shown in FIG. 2, with thebellows 68 flexed and the plug 34 engaged against the seat 66. In theouter position, liquid drains in the system 18 from the catheter22through the stem passageway and opening 38 and 40 into the main channel28, and froni the channel the liquid drains around the plug 34 andthrough the seat 66 into the tube 24. In the inner position of the onebody member end 46, the planar plug portion 78 engages the planar seatportion 82 to releasably lock the frustro-conical portions of the plugand seat 74 and in sealing engagement, thus preventing passage of liquidfrom the main channel 28 into the drainage tube 24.

Accordingly, for normal drainage of liquid from the catheter 22 to thetube 24 the first body member end 46 is in the outer position, and thecap 56 is positioned on the side arm 50. In order toirrigate thecatheter 22, the one body member end46 is first moved to the innerposition to close off the drainage tube 24 fromthe. main channel 28, asillustrated in FIG. 2. Next, the cap 56 is removed from the side arm'50, exposing the side arm channel 52 through the outer side arm end 58.Although the cap 56 is retained to the body member 26 by the strap 65,the strap may be wrapped around the side arm 50 into the intersection ofthe side arm and the bellows 68, in order to retain the cap ina fixedposition and prevent it from moving about during irrigation of thecatheter. Since the cap plug 62 is recessed from the annular cap rim 60,as notedpreviously, the rim 60 protects the plug 62 from contaminationby preventing it from touching an object external from the side armchannel52,.which might result in contamination to the drainage system 18when the cap 56 is again positioned on the side arm 50.

Finally, to accomplish irrigation the tip T of a syringe S is introducedinto the side arm channel 52 until the upper portion of the tip Tengages a tapered portion 99 in the channel 52 adjacent the outer sidearm end 48.

Since the side arm opening 54 is located adjacent the stem opening 40,the syringe tip T is in position to inject fluid through the opening 40into the stem passageway 38, and the side arm channel 52 is preferablyconstructed to define an acute angle with the main channel 28, relativeto the one body member end 46, to direct the passage of liquid from thesyringe tip T into the stem passageway 38. During irrigation, thesealing engagement between the plug 34 and seat 66 prevents passage ofirrigation liquid from the main channel 28 into the drainage tube 24,and confines liquid movement from the main channel 28 into the stempassageway 38 and the catheter lumen 42..When irrigation of the-catheter22 is complete, the syringe tip T is removed from the side arrnchannel52, the cap 56 is secured to the side arm 50, and the one bodymember end 46 is moved from the inner to outer position to continuenormal drainage of the system.

Another embodiment of-the plug and seat 34 and 66 is illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, with the one body member end 46 being in the outer andinner positions, respectively, in the drawings. In this embodiment, theplug 34 also has the frustro-conical portion 74 tapered toward the otherstem end 36, and the seat 66 includes a corresponding frustro-conicalportion 80. However,

instead of a planar portion, the plug 34 has an outwardly extending ring84 adjacent the larger end 76 of the frustro-conical portion 74, and theseat 66 has a corresponding annular recession 86 to receive the plugring 84 and releasably lock the frustro-conical portions 74 and 80 insealing engagement in the inner position of the one body member end 46.In addition, the plug 34 includes a pin 88 which projects outwardly fromthe other stem end 36 along the longitudinal axis of the stem 30. Thepin 88 guides the plug 34 in the valve seat 66 during movement of theone body member end 46 from the outer to inner position, and alsoprevents severe flexing of the one body member end 46 adjacent the thinwall 70, which might inadvertently close off the main channel 28 fromthe drainage tube 24 and prevent full drainage when the one body memberend 46 is in the outer position.

Referring now to FIG. 6-8, another embodiment of the irrigationconnector is shown, in which like reference numerals, in connection withthe connector of FIGS. 1-5, have been incremented by one hundred todesignate similar parts. In this embodiment, a connector 120 includes aflexible body member 126 which has a longitudinally extending mainchannel 128 communicating with a lumen 144 in a drainage tube 124through one end 146 in the body member 126, and communicating with alumen 142 in a catheter 122 through the other end 148 of the body member126. Preferably, an adapter 125 having a longitudinal passageway 127 isconnected between the body member 126 and the catheter 122 for ease ofconnection and removal of the catheter from the connector 120. The bodymember 126 includes a side am 150 having a channel 152 extending throughthe side arm and communicating with the main channel 128 through anopening 154, and a cap 156 is removably positioned on the side arm 150,as previously described.

A stem 130 has an annular rim 131 adjacent one end of the stem 132, anda plug 134 adjacent the other stem end. A passageway 138 extends throughthe rim 131 to an opening 140 in the stem intermediate the rim 131 andthe plug 134. A circumferential groove 133 in the one stem end 132receives the end of the drainage tube 124, and serves as meansconnecting the one stem end to the drainage tube, providing for fluidcommunication between the stem passageway 138 and the tube lumen 144.

The body member 126 has an annular wall 135 of first diameter, and atubular portion 137 of second smaller diameter which at least partiallyencloses the main channel 128. A flexible bellows 141 connects thetubular portion 137 and the annular wall 138, and the bellows and wall141 and 135 define a chamber 143 in the body member 126. The stem 130 isreceived in the chamber 143 with the inside of the annular wall 135frictionally engaging the outside of the stem rim 131 to retain the stemin position in the body member 126. An outwardly directedcircumferential flange 151 on the one stem end 132 abuts against anannular groove 153 in the wall 135 to prevent the stem from movingfurther into the chamber 143.

The stem plug 134 has a frustro-conical portion 174 tapered toward theother stem end 136, a ring 184 extending outwardly from thefrustro-conical portion 174 adjacent its narrow end, and a pin 188projecting out- 0 wardly from the other stem end 136 along thelongitudinal axis of the stem 130. The tubular portion 137 includes aseat 166 adjacent the bellows 141, and the seat 166 includes afrustro-conical portion 180 and annular recession 186 corresponding tothe plug frustro-conical portion 174 and ring 184.

The stem 130 is movable between an outer position, as shown in FIG. 6,with the plug 134 spaced from the seat 166 and the bellows extended, toan inner position, as shown in FIG. 7, with the bellows 141 flexed orfolded inwardly into the chamber 143, and the plug 134 engaged againstthe seat 166. During movement of the stem 130 from the outer to innerposition, the pin 188 guides the plug in the seat 166, and in the innerposition, the ring 184 is received in the recession 186 to releasablylock the plug and stem in sealing engagement. Preferably, the ring 184and recession 186 have a slight oblate shape, as shown, to permit easywithdrawal of the ring 184 from the recession 186 during retraction ofthe plug from the seat when the stem is moved from the inner to outerposition.

During normal drainage of the system, the stem is located in the outerposition, as shown in FIG. 6, and liquid drains from the catheter 122through the channel 128 and stem passageway 138 to the drainage tube124. For irrigation of the catheter, the stem is moved from the outer toinner position to close off the drainage tube, as shown in FIG. 7, andthe syringe tip T is inserted into side arm channel 152, as previouslydescribed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the above described connectors mayreadily be adapted to serve as a valve for controlling the communicationof fluid between a plurality of tubes. Although the connector 120illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 may be utilized for such a purpose, asdescribed below, the valve 200 shown in FIG. 9 represents a slightmodification of this connector. In the valve 200, a flexible body member226 includes a first portion 202 having a channel 203 communicating witha lumen 204 in a first tube 205. The body member 226 also includes asecond portion 210 having a channel 211 communicating between a lumen212 in a second tube 213 and the channel 203 in the first portion 202,and a third portion 206 having a channel 207 communicating with thechannels 203 and 211 in the first and second portions 202 and 210,respectively. A third tube 214 may be connected to the third portion206, such that a lumen 215 in the third tube 214 communicates with thechannel 207 in the third portion 206.

The second portion 210 has a flexible bellows 268, permitting movementof an annular wall 235 between outer and inner positions due to flexingof the bellows 268. The second portion 210 operates in a manner similarto the valve portion of the connector shown in FIGS. 6-8 to controlcommunication of fluid between the first and second tubes 205 and 213,with a stern plug (not shown) engaging against a valve seat (not shown)to effect closure between the tubes 205 and 213 when the second portion210 is in the inner position. Thus, the lumens 204 and 215 in the firstand third tubes 205 and 214 are in continuous fluid communication, whilecommunication between lumens 204 and 212 in the first and second tubes205 and 213 may be selectively controlled by manipulation of the secondportion 210 between its outer and inner positions.

. valve.

One application of such a valve is useful in controlling a mixture ofintravenous solutions for the body of a patient through the tube 205. Afirst solution from a first source of fluid (not shown) is connected tothe tube 214, and is continuously administered to the patient throughthe tube 205. A second intravenous solution from a second source offluid (not shown) is connected to the tube 213. When it is desired toutilize only the first source of fluid, the second portion 210 is movedto the inner position, thus preventing passage of the second solutioninto the tube 205. When it is desired to mix the second solution withthe first solution for administration to the patient, the second portion210 is moved to its outer position and the second solution passes withthe first solution into the tube 205.

Although the valve 200 has been described for controlling thecommunication of fluid between a plurality of tubes, it is understoodthat this valve may be readily adapted for use as an irrigationconnector, as previously described. By removing the third tube 214 andmaking a suitable modification of the channel 207 in the third portion206 to receive a syringe tip, andby utilizing a catheter as the tube205, the catheter may be irrigated through the third portion 206, whiledrainage control between the catheter and the tube 213 is accomplishedby movement of the second portion 210.

Another embodiment of the valve is illustrated in FIG. 10, in which theconnector 20 of FIGS. lis slightly modified to receive the third tube314 in the side arm or third portion 306. Thus, the lumen 315 in thethird tube 314 is in continuous communication with the lumen 304 in thefirst tube 305 through channels (not shown) in the third and firstportion 306 and 302, respectively.-Fluid communication between the lumen312 in the second tube 313 and the tube 305 is selectively controlled bymovement of the second body member portion 310 between its outer andinner positions, as described in connection with FIGS. 1-5. It isreadily apparent that the connector 120 of FIGS. 6-8 may be modified ina similar fashion, by connecting a tube to the side arm 150, to serve assuch a fluid control Another embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 11, in which the valve portion of the connector 120 of FIGS. 6-8 isincorporated in the first, second and third body member portions 402,410 and 406, respectively. Accordingly, the passage of fluid between anygiven tube and eitheror both of the remaining tubes may be selected bythe appropriate manipulation ofthe body member portions.

Further embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, inwhich the connectors and 120 of FIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 6-8, respectively,have their side arms 50 and 150 omitted. In these embodiments,

the passage-of fluid between the first and second tubes 505 and 513 inthe valve 500, and the tubes 605 and 613 in the valve 600, isselectively controlled'by movement of the respective second body memberportions 510 and 610 between their inner and outer positions.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearance ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquiddrainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising:

a flexible body member having a main channel extending longitudinallythrough the body member, said main channel communicating with a lumen inthe drainage tube through one end of the body member and communicatingwith a lumen in the catheter through the other end of the body member, aside arm having a channel which opens into said main channel, a flexiblebellows intermediate the side arm opening and said one body member end,and a seat spaced from the bellows in the main channel and intermediatethe side arm opening and said one body member end; and

a stem having a passageway extending from one end of the stem to anopening in the stem intermediate said one stem end and a plug adjacentthe other end of the stem, with said stem plug and opening beingreceived in the main channel of the body member, said one body memberend being movable between an outer position with the bellows extendedand the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquid drainage from thecatheter through the stem passage to the drainage tube, and an innerposition with the bellows flexed and the plug engaged against the seatto prevent drainage of liquid to said tube during irrigation of thecatheter through said side arm.

2. The irrigation connector of claim 1 whereinsaid side arm and mainchannels define an acute angle relative to said one body member end.

3. The irrigation connector of claim 1 including a cap removablypositioned on the outer end of said side arm to close the side armchannel during drainage of liquid fromthe cat'heterto the drainage tube.

4. The irrigation connector of claim 3 wherein said cap includes anouter annular rim and an inner plug defining a circumferential channelto snugly receive the end of the side arm, said plug being recessed fromthe annular rim to prevent contamination to the cap plug when the cap isremoved from the side arm.

5. The irrigation connector of claim 1 wherein said plug includes a'frustro-conical portion tapered toward said other stem end, and aring,-and said seatincludes a corresponding frustro-conical portion andannular recession, whereby the plug ring is received in said seatrecession to releasably lock the frustro-conical portions in sealingengagement in the inner position of said one body member end.

6. The irrigation connector of claim 1 including a pin projectingoutwardly from the other end of the stem along its longitudinal axis tovguide said plug in the seat during movement of 'the one body member endfrom said outer to inner position.

7. In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquiddrainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising:

a stem having one end connected to said catheter, a plug adjacent theother end of the stem, anda passageway communicating with a drainagelumen in the catheter and extending from said one stem end to an openingin the stem intermediate the plug and one stem end; and

a flexible body member having a first end connected to the drainage tubewith said main channel communicating with a lumen in the tube, a secondend to receive the other stem end with the stem plug and openingpositioned in a main channel extending longitudinally through the bodymember, a side arm having a channel extending through the side arm andopening into the main channel adjacent the opening in the stem, a seatin the main channel intermediate the side arm opening and the first bodymember end, and a flexible bellows intermediate the side arm opening andseat, said first body member end being movable between an outer positionwith the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permitliquid drainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an innerposition with the bellows flexed and the plug engaged against said seatto prevent drainage of liquid to said tube during irrigation of thecatheter through said side arm.

8. The irrigation connector of claim 7 wherein said plug includes afrustro-conical portion tapered toward said other stem end, the largerend of said frustro-conical portion terminating in a planar portionsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem, andsaid seat includes a corresponding frustro-conical portion terminatingat its larger end in a planar portion substantially parallel to theplanar portion of the plug, whereby the planar portion of the plugengages the planar portion of the seat to releasably lock thefrustroconical portions of the plug and seat in sealing engagement inthe inner position of said second body member end.

The irrigation connector of claim 7 wherein said bellows comprises arelatively thin cylindrical wall having a plurality of outwardlydirected flanges extending circumferentially around the wall.

10. in a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquiddrainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising:

a stem having an annular rim adjacent one end of the stem, aplugadjacent the other end of the stem, a passageway extending through therim to an opening in the stem intermediate said plug and rim, and meansconnecting said one stem end to the drainage tube with the passagewaycommunicating with a lumen in the tube; and

a flexible body member having an annular wall of first diameter adjacentone end of the body member, a tubular portion of second smaller diameterhaving a channel extending through the tubular portion and communicatingwith a lumen in the catheter adjacent the other end of the body member,a flexible bellows connecting said tubular portion and annular wall,said stem being received in a chamber defined by the wall and bellowswith the inside of the annular wall frictionally engaging the outside ofthe stem rim, a seat in the channel of the tubular portion adjacent saidbellows, and a side arm extending outwardly from the tubular portion andhaving a channel extending through the side arm and opening into thechannel in the tubular portion intermediate the seat and the other endof the body member, said stem being movable between an outer positionwith the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permitliquid drainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an innerposition with the bellows folded inwardly into the chamber and the plugengaged a ainst said seat to prevent draina e of liquid to s 1d tubeduring irrigation of the ca eter t rough said side arm.

1. In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquiddrainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising: a flexible bodymember having a main channel extending longitudinally through the bodymember, said main channel communicating with a lumen in the drainagetube through one end of the body member and communicating with a lumenin the catheter through the other end of the body member, a side armhaving a channel which opens into said main channel, a flexible bellowsintermediate the side arm opening and said one body member end, and aseat spaced from the bellows in the main channel and intermediate theside arm opening and said one body member end; and a stem having apassageway extending from one end of the stem to an opening in the stemintermediate said one stem end and a plug adjacent the other end of thestem, with said stem plug and opening being received in the main channelof the body member, said one body member end being movable between anouter position with the bellows extended and the plug spaced from theseat to permit liquid drainage from the catheter through the stempassage to the drainage tube, and an inner position with the bellowsflexed and the plug engaged against the seat to prevent drainage ofliquid to said tube during irrigation of the catheter through said sidearm.
 2. The irrigation connector of claim 1 wherein said side arm andmain channels define an acute angle relative to said one body memberend.
 3. The irrigation connector of claim 1 including a cap removablypositioned on the outer end of said side arm to close the side armchannel during drainage of liquid from the catheter to the drainagetube.
 4. The irrigation connector of claim 3 wherein said cap includesan outer annular rim and an inner plug defining a circumferentialchannel to snugly receive the end of the side arm, said plug beingrecessed from the annular rim to prevent contamination to the cap plugwhen the cap is removed from the side arm.
 5. The irrigation connectorof claim 1 wherein said plug includes a frustro-conical portion taperedtoward said other stem end, and a ring, and said seat includes acorresponding frustro-conical portion and annular recession, whereby theplug ring is received in said seat recession to releasably lock thefrustro-conical portions in sealing engagement in the inner position ofsaid one body member end.
 6. The irrigation connector of claim 1including a pin projecting outwardly from the other end of the stemalong its longitudinal axis to guide said plug in the seat duringmovement of the one body member end from said outer to inner position.7. In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a liquiddrainage tube, an irrigation connector comprising: a stem having one endconnected to said catheter, a plug adjacent the other end of the stem,and a passageway communicating with a drainage lumen in the catheter andextending from said one stem end to an opening in the stem intermediatethe plug and one stem end; and a flexible body member having a first endconnected to the drainage tube with said main channel communicating witha lumen in the tube, a second eNd to receive the other stem end with thestem plug and opening positioned in a main channel extendinglongitudinally through the body member, a side arm having a channelextending through the side arm and opening into the main channeladjacent the opening in the stem, a seat in the main channelintermediate the side arm opening and the first body member end, and aflexible bellows intermediate the side arm opening and seat, said firstbody member end being movable between an outer position with the bellowsextended and the plug spaced from the seat to permit liquid drainagefrom the catheter to the drainage tube, and an inner position with thebellows flexed and the plug engaged against said seat to preventdrainage of liquid to said tube during irrigation of the catheterthrough said side arm.
 8. The irrigation connector of claim 7 whereinsaid plug includes a frustro-conical portion tapered toward said otherstem end, the larger end of said frustro-conical portion terminating ina planar portion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe stem, and said seat includes a corresponding frustro-conical portionterminating at its larger end in a planar portion substantially parallelto the planar portion of the plug, whereby the planar portion of theplug engages the planar portion of the seat to releasably lock thefrustro-conical portions of the plug and seat in sealing engagement inthe inner position of said second body member end.
 9. The irrigationconnector of claim 7 wherein said bellows comprises a relatively thincylindrical wall having a plurality of outwardly directed flangesextending circumferentially around the wall.
 10. In a liquid drainagesystem including a catheter and a liquid drainage tube, an irrigationconnector comprising: a stem having an annular rim adjacent one end ofthe stem, a plug adjacent the other end of the stem, a passagewayextending through the rim to an opening in the stem intermediate saidplug and rim, and means connecting said one stem end to the drainagetube with the passageway communicating with a lumen in the tube; and aflexible body member having an annular wall of first diameter adjacentone end of the body member, a tubular portion of second smaller diameterhaving a channel extending through the tubular portion and communicatingwith a lumen in the catheter adjacent the other end of the body member,a flexible bellows connecting said tubular portion and annular wall,said stem being received in a chamber defined by the wall and bellowswith the inside of the annular wall frictionally engaging the outside ofthe stem rim, a seat in the channel of the tubular portion adjacent saidbellows, and a side arm extending outwardly from the tubular portion andhaving a channel extending through the side arm and opening into thechannel in the tubular portion intermediate the seat and the other endof the body member, said stem being movable between an outer positionwith the bellows extended and the plug spaced from the seat to permitliquid drainage from the catheter to the drainage tube, and an innerposition with the bellows folded inwardly into the chamber and the plugengaged against said seat to prevent drainage of liquid to said tubeduring irrigation of the catheter through said side arm.